How to Paint Faux Paint Finishes Such as Sponging

Use these simple online instructions for sponge painting to add texture and depth to any room. Learn how to sponge paint faux paint finishes and transform your walls from boring to exciting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Natural sea sponge
• Roller or paint brush
• Paint tray
• Painter's tape (optional)
• Base coat color paint
• Glaze coat color paint

1. If you are not a professional painter, your first step should be to use painter's tape to cover the edges of the ceiling, baseboards, and trim where you will be applying the paint to paint the faux paint finish.

2. Using the base coat color of your choice, paint the wall and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next step to paint a faux paint finish. Allow a minimum of 4 hours to dry.

3. Make a flat surface on one side of the natural sea sponge, if there is not already one, by cutting it in half. Cut one of the halves in half to make smaller pieces for sponging along edges and in corners. Wet each sponge in clean water and wring dry.

4. Pour the glaze mix to paint faux paint finishes into a paint tray so you can easily dip the sponge into the glaze.

5. Dip the flat surface of the damp sponge into the glaze color. If the sponge is oversaturated or dripping, blot onto a stack of paper towels to leave a small amount of glaze to begin to paint faux paint finishes on the wall.

6. Start in an upper corner and gently press the sponge against the wall. Do not press too hard, squeeze too hard, or slide the sponge along the wall. Overlap each impression by rotating your hand at the wrist each time your press the sponge against the wall.

7. As your sponge becomes dry, dip it into the glaze, blot, and repeat the process. It your sponge get too wet or saturated, rinse it in water, wring it thoroughly, and dip it into the glaze.

8. As you continue to paint faux paint finish with a sponge on the wall, step back occasionally to review the wall at a distance. Observe for consistency and correct uneven spots.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a darker color base coat paint and a lighter color glaze paint for more contrast and texture to paint faux paint finishes.
• For even more dimension, you can use a second glaze coat color after allowing the first glaze color to dry.
• Rinse out your sponge often using clean water. Allow it to stay damp but not too wet or too dry to paint faux paint finishes.

Resources

• Painters need to be prepared for the job. Visit Job Prep Center for information.

[missnye]

on 11/21/2009 Very nice!*****

[amysmarts]

on 10/23/2009 Great article on How to Paint Faux Paint Finishes Such as Sponging. This is all great advice and so well written. My mom really likes to do this. It is so pretty. Thanks for sharing on how to do it. 5*